ALMOST 50 child protection referrals a month were made by Dorset Police to social services – with a child protection charity calling on the government to ensure all youth victims of domestic abuse get the support they need.

Analysis of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services data by the NSPCC showed 571 referrals were made by the force across 2020/21.

Nationally more than 244,197 were made in this 12-month period.

A senior Dorset Police officer said protecting vulnerable members of society, particularly children at risk of harm, was a key priority for the force.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve May said officers were "absolutely committed to working with our partners to do all we can to ensure we have effective measures in place to ensure we do everything we can to achieve this".

The referrals are made to local authority's when someone has concerns about the safety and well-being of a child.

Children’s services have a legal duty to investigate situations where a concern has been expressed.

"Child protection referrals are just one of a number of ways in which we flag any issues with our partners and share information so that effective action can be taken when required," said DCI May.

“Dorset Police has provided significant training to its staff in recognising and responding to incidents of domestic abuse and child protection concerns. We have worked very closely with partners to design services that support the victims and children who are at risk of domestic abuse, recognising that no single agency can fix this issue alone."

Last week marked the start of children being officially recognised as victims of domestic abuse as part of the Domestic Abuse Act.

The NSPCC said it hoped this would make it more likely that their needs are considered by professionals on the frontline such as social workers and police.

The change to the law came after campaigning by the British child protection charity and other organisation to reflect the impact experiencing domestic abuse can have on children.

However, the NSPCC said it still concerned that this alone will not ensure enough support is in place for children.

Local authorities currently have a statutory duty to provide accommodation-based support services, such as refuges, when families and their children need to leave their homes to escape domestic abuse.

But they do not have the same requirement to provide specialist, therapeutic services in the community for victims who remain at home after suffering domestic abuse.

With the Victim’s Law consultation closing this week, the NSPCC called on Dominic Raab, deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor, to ensure all child victims of domestic abuse in England and Wales have access to specialist, therapeutic services in the community to support their recovery.

Anna Edmundson, NSPCC Head of Policy and Public Affairs, said: “Sadly, we know these figures are the tip of the iceberg as domestic abuse often goes unreported.

“Domestic abuse can derail a childhood and it is unacceptable that support to recover remains patchy across the country, and what is available risks being axed by cash-strapped councils.

“We urge Dominic Raab to use the Victim’s Law to address this and ensure young victims of domestic abuse have easy access to professional services within their community so they can rebuild their lives no matter where they live."